Enzo Maresca takes aim at Chelsea fans after side's failure to beat Ipswich

Enzo Maresca pleaded for more backing from the boo boys as slipped up in the race for the . The Blues fought back from 2-0 down to Ipswich to snatch a draw but not before the home fans had made their feelings known.

Maresca said: “It’s tough. We lost a bit of confidence, because of the environment. We have to be strong and stick to the plan. We are stronger with our fans. We are a better team. It’s up to them to decide the way. With 0-2 it’s normal to be the way they were.

“I didn’t say the environment is an issue. Our fans have been with us, home and away. In a difficult moment you can expect they are not happy. But those are the moments when the players need more support.”

Maresca said there are “six or seven” teams still in the hunt for a Champions League spot. And he expects ALL of them to drop points before the season is over.

He said: “At the end of the season, we will see. I think we are going to win games and drop points. The other clubs will too. When they scored their first goal we lost some confidence. We need to stick to the plan. My message at half time was that we need to react. We cannot continue the way we are. Then we were much more dynamic.”

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The result, though admirable under the circumstances, did not greatly improve Ipswich’s dim hopes of staying up. In fact the gap to safety now stands at 14 points after beat . It means relegation could be confirmed as early as next Sunday when visit Portman Road.

Despite their top-flight adventure looking set to come to an end after one season, the travelling fans lent a raucous support to their team and applauded them off at the end.

“The reaction (from the fans) was deserved,” said manager Kieran McKenna. “I think the players and supporters did themselves proud. The second half I thought we played better than in the first half. We were disappointed to concede right from kick-off (in the second half). That was a setback, but I thought the response was very good. It was a brilliant moment from Sancho to make it 2-2.

“I think Chelsea had the better chances over the game, but for the amount we created, for an away team I think we deserved something.

“I think we can take great pride in it. The journey our players have been on is huge so I’m proud that they could come here and compete.”

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